Exercise apparatus for the upper body

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus for developing the upper body and in particular the chest. The apparatus includes two opposed levers jointed at a pivot point formed within opposed pivot arms. The pivot point is located at the fulcrum point of the two levers. The pivot arms extend out from the lever arms to provide greater leverage, control and comfort for the user. The two lever arms are biased together at a terminal end of the lever arms to provide resistance for an exercise routine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus for the upperbody and in greater detail the present invention includes a mechanicalresistance apparatus and exercise routine for shaping and sculptingbreasts.

BACKGROUND

Gravity is relentless and aging is inevitable. Together theseineluctable forces wreak havoc on our bodies, wrinkling us, thinningvertebral discs, weakening our bones, making us more susceptible tosickness and disease. But perhaps most vulnerable to the depredations oftime and gravity are a woman's breasts which succumb to sagging due tothe tug and pull of gravity.

Essentially, there are three known available means to provide ormaintain attractive breasts. They include the use of support garments,cosmetic surgery, and exercise. Support garments can shape and supportbreasts in appealing ways. However, while offsetting some of the effectof gravity, brassieres do little to change or enhance the immediateappearance of the breasts themselves. Cosmetic surgery, while providinga quick and sometimes dramatic result, is dangerous, expensive, canresult in long term health problems and an unnatural feel.

Exercise has none of the problems or limitations of cosmetic surgery andsupport garments. Outside of cosmetic surgery, the only effective meansof enhancing breast appearance is to exercise the muscles supporting thebreasts. But in contrast to cosmetic surgery, exercise is healthful andhas long term health benefits, and in contrast to support garments,exercise actually changes the breast themselves.

Breast appearance cannot be improved by exercising the breasts sincethey do not contain muscle tissue. Breasts are composed of fat, glandsand connective tissue. Sagging occurs when the skin and connectivetissue stretch or break down due to gravity or through the loss ofelasticity from aging. Sagging can also occur after a significant weightloss or a pregnancy, when skin and ligaments are temporarily stretcheddue to increased breast size.

Breasts can only be sculpted by increasing the mass of musclessupporting the breasts. Breasts are supported by the pectoral muscles,including the clavicular and sternal parts of the pectoralis major. Thepectoralis major is a large muscle that spans both sides of the chest,originating at the medial two thirds of the clavicle, the anteriorsurface of the sternum, the cartilages of the first six ribs, and theslip from aponeurosis of external oblique abdominal muscle. Building thepectoral muscles generally produces about the same effect as breastaugmentation surgery.

When breasts are surgically augmented, the effect is to urge breasttissue into the covering skin, thus making the breasts firmer and morebuoyant, disposed more outwardly from the chest, rather than sagging ordrooping downwardly. Building pectoral muscles accomplishes the samething. The increased muscle mass pushes breast tissue outwardly and intothe skin, thus tightening the skin and pulling the breasts upwardly.Additionally, breast appearance is enhanced by increasing the mass andtonicity in the pectoralis minor, the anterior deltoids, the serratusanterior, the coracobrachialis, and the subscapularis.

These muscles can be addressed in a conventional resistance trainingprogram of weight lifting. The better known suitable lifts would includethe bench press, the inclined and declined presses, parallel bar dips,dumbbell or “pec deck flys,” and dumbbell or barbell pullovers. But sucha program entails the use of heavy weights and the execution ofdifficult, strenuous lifts. It may require the acquisition of a weightset or access to a gym facility, and some of the lifts can be genuinelydangerous if heavy weights are used without a spotter.

Therefore what is needed is a lightweight portable apparatus providing asimple, convenient, and inexpensive means to strengthen and tone thechest and shoulder muscles to lift and firm the breasts.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises an apparatus for developing the upperbody and in particular the chest. The apparatus includes two opposedlevers joined at a pivot point formed within opposed pivot arms extendout from the lever arms to provide greater leverage, control and comfortfor the user. The pivot point is located at the fulcrum point of the twolevers.

In greater detail the present apparatus for exercising the upper bodyincludes a first and second lever arm pivotally secured to each other bya pivot assembly. The pivot assembly comprising a first and second pivotarm integrally formed from and extending out from the first and secondlever arms respectively. The pivot arms include operatively alignedpivot holes for receiving a pivot point member for pivotally securingthe levers.

The levers each include an elongated handle portion extending out from afulcrum point and an anchor portion extending from the fulcrum point ina direction opposite the handle portion. The opposed stationary anchorslocated at a terminal end of each anchor portion are operatively alignedfor receiving a resilient body. The resilient body is biased between theterminal ends of the anchor portions urging the anchor portionstogether. The resilient body provides the resistance in the exerciseroutine of the present invention in developing the chest.

In a further embodiment the present apparatus includes opposed leverspivotally secured to each other by a pivot assembly. The pivot assemblyincludes a first and second pivot arm attached to and extending out fromthe first and second lever respectively. The pivot arms include slopingsides reaching an apex at a fulcrum point.

The pivot arms further include operatively aligned pivot holes formedwithin the pivot arms for receiving a pivot point member for pivotallysecuring the levers. The pivot point is typically located at the fulcrumpoint. The lever arms include an elongated handle portion extending outfrom the fulcrum point and an anchor portion extending from the fulcrumpoint in a direction opposite the handle portion. The opposed stationaryanchors are located at the terminal ends of each anchor portion and areformed within the terminal point in the pivot point arms for addedstrength. The anchors are operatively aligned for receiving a springwhich is biased between the terminal ends of the anchor portions urgingthe anchor portions together.

An additional embodiment of the present apparatus for exercising theupper body includes opposed levers pivotally secured to each other by apivot assembly, wherein the pivot assembly includes a first and secondpivot arm integrally attached to and extending out from the first andsecond lever respectively. The pivot arms include sloping sides reachingan apex at a fulcrum point. Operatively aligned pivot holes are includedand formed within the pivot arms for receiving a pivot point member forpivotally securing the levers, the pivot point located at the fulcrumpoint.

The levers each include an elongated handle portion extending out fromthe fulcrum point on the lever and an anchor portion extending from thefulcrum point in a direction opposite the handle portion, wherein thehandle portion is longer than the anchor portion.

Further included are opposed stationary anchors located at a terminalend of each anchor portion, wherein the stationary anchors are formedwithin a terminal point in the pivot point arms. The anchors areoperatively aligned for receiving a spring, wherein the spring includesopposed hook members for engaging a hole formed in the opposedstationary anchors. The spring is biased between the terminal ends ofthe anchor portions urging the anchor portions together.

DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present apparatus for developing the upperbody and in particular the chest illustrating the lever arms andresilient member as a spring;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the present apparatus having an angledview of being slightly rotated about its axis to better appreciate theelements of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 depicts a top down view of the apparatus wherein only one leveris in view; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a lever arm of the apparatus including the pivot holeand pivot member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is an apparatus for developing the upper body and inparticular the chest. The apparatus includes two opposed levers jointedat a pivot point formed within opposed pivot arms. The pivot point islocated at the fulcrum point of the two levers. The pivot arms extendout from the lever arms to provide greater leverage, control and comfortfor the user. The two lever arms are biased together at a terminal endof the lever arms to provide resistance for an exercise routine.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings in which like numeralsindicate like items throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4 depict thepresent apparatus for exercising the upper body and in particular thechest, in the various embodiments of the present invention.

Turning now to the FIGS. 1-4, the present apparatus is shown in variousperspective views. The present apparatus 2 for exercising the upper bodyincludes opposed levers 4(a-b) pivotally secured to each other by apivot assembly. The levers 4(a-b) may be formed from most any material,including plastic as is described in an embodiment of the apparatus. Thelevers 4(a-b) have a curved shape such that the apex of the curvesubstantially meets at the fulcrum point 10 as is illustrated FIG. 1. Ina further embodiment the levers 4(a-b) may be comprised of two linearportions meeting at angle instead of a sweeping curve as is illustrated.

The pivot assembly includes first and second pivot arms 6(a-b) attachedto and extending out from the first and second levers 4(a-b)respectively. The pivot arms 6(a-b) extend out from the levers 4(a-b) toprovide a pivot point 12 above the planes of both levers 4(a-b). Thisarrangement is thought to promote greater leverage, control and comfortfor the user. Additionally, having the pivot point 12 above the planesof both levers 4(a-b) reduces the distance between the terminal ends14(a-b) of the handle potion 16(a-b) of the apparatus, thus decreasingthe profile of the apparatus for ease of storage and the gap needed tobe crunched when in use which increases the apparatus' 2 ease of use.

Typically, the pivot point 12 is located equidistant from both levers4(a-b). In an embodiment the pivot arms 6(a-b) may have sloping sidesreaching an apex at a fulcrum point 10. The pivot point 12 includesoperatively aligned pivot holes 20 formed within the pivot arms forreceiving a pivot point member 22 for pivotally securing the levers4(a-b) as illustrated in FIG. 4. The pivot point 12 is typically locatedat the fulcrum point 10.

The levers 4(a-b) include an elongated handle portion 16(a-b) extendingout from the fulcrum point 10 on the lever 4(a-b) and an anchor portion18(a-b) extending from the fulcrum point 10 in a direction opposite thehandle portion 16(a-b). The handle portion 16(a-b) may include grips28(a-b) made of most any material commonly known for such grips. In themost common embodiment the handle portion 16(a-b) is longer than theanchor portion 18(a-b).

Further included in the apparatus 2 are opposed stationary anchorslocated at a terminal end of each anchor portion 18(a-b), wherein thestationary anchors 26(a-b) are formed within a terminal point in thepivot point arms 6(a-b). The anchors 26(a-b) are operatively aligned forreceiving a resilient body 8. The resilient body 8 may be formed fromany material capable of returning a stretched body to its originalposition. As illustrated in the figures, the resilient body 8 may be aspring. The spring may include opposed hook members 24(a-b) for engaginga hole formed in opposed stationary anchors 26(a-b). The spring isbiased between the terminal ends of the anchor portions 18(a-b) urgingthe anchor portions (a-b) together.

The present apparatus may be for use in an exercise routine. The routinemay consist of various exercises. For example, one routine may includebringing the elbows at shoulders level and the forearms straight up.Then the elbows and forearms are brought together as one presses thehandles of the apparatus together. A further exercise includes bringingthe elbows back and hands together to just under the chest while holdingthe apparatus. A third exercise routine may include bringing the armsand elbows straight down and bending the shoulders down about 5 degreeswhile pressing the handles together. A fourth routine may includebending down from the waist up by about 25 degrees with the elbows atwaist level six inches from the body. With the forearms straight infront, they arev brought together by squeezing the handle of theapparatus. The described routines may be done 4 times a day inrepetitions beginning at 20 and increasing to about 40 or more.

While specific embodiments have been described in detail in theforegoing detailed description and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatvarious modifications and alternatives to those details could bedeveloped in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention,which is to be given the full breadth of any claims that are derivablefrom the description herein, and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. An apparatus for exercising the upper body comprising: a first andsecond lever pivotally secured to each other; a pivot assembly securingthe first and second lever, the pivot assembly comprising a first andsecond pivot arm integrally formed from and extending out from the firstand second lever respectively, wherein each pivot arm includes a pivothole for receiving a pivot point member for pivotally securing thelevers; the levers each including an elongated handle portion extendingout from a fulcrum point and an anchor portion extending from thefulcrum point in a direction opposite the handle portion; and opposedstationary anchors located at a terminal end of each anchor portion,wherein the stationary anchors are operatively aligned for receiving aresilient body, the resilient body is biased between the terminal endsof the anchor portions urging the anchor portions together.
 2. Theapparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 1, wherein theresilient member is a spring.
 3. The apparatus for exercising the upperbody of claim 2, wherein the spring includes opposed hook membersengaging a hole formed in opposed stationary anchors.
 4. The apparatusfor exercising the upper body of claim 1, further including gripsattached to the handle portions.
 5. The apparatus for exercising theupper body of claim 1, wherein the levers are formed from a plastic. 6.The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 1, wherein thehandle portion is longer than the anchor portion.
 7. The apparatus forexercising the upper body of claim 1, wherein terminal ends of thehandle portions cannot come together.
 8. An apparatus for exercising theupper body comprising: a first and second lever pivotally secured toeach other by a pivot assembly, wherein the pivot assembly includes afirst and second pivot arm attached to and extending out from the firstand second lever respectively, the pivot arms including sloping sidesreaching an apex at a fulcrum point; operatively aligned pivot holesformed within the pivot arms for receiving a pivot point member forpivotally securing the levers, the pivot point is located at the fulcrumpoint; the levers each including an elongated handle portion extendingout from the fulcrum point and an anchor portion extending from thefulcrum point in a direction opposite the handle portion; and opposedstationary anchors located at a terminal end of each anchor portion,wherein the stationary anchors are formed within a terminal point in thepivot point arms; the anchors are operatively aligned for receiving aspring, the spring is biased between the terminal ends of the anchorportions urging the anchor portions together.
 9. The apparatus forexercising the upper body of claim 8, further including a plurality ofsprings.
 10. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 8,wherein the spring includes opposed hook members engaging a hole formedin opposed stationary anchors.
 11. The apparatus for exercising theupper body of claim 8, further including grips attached to the handleportions.
 12. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 8,wherein the levers are formed from a plastic.
 13. The apparatus forexercising the upper body of claim 8, wherein the handle portion islonger than the anchor portion.
 14. The apparatus for exercising theupper body of claim 8, wherein terminal ends of the handle portionscannot come together in the operation of the apparatus.
 15. An apparatusfor exercising the upper body comprising: a first and second leverpivotally secured to each other by a pivot assembly, wherein the pivotassembly includes a first and a second pivot arm attached to andextending out from the first and second levers respectively, the pivotarms including sloping sides reaching an apex at a fulcrum point;operatively aligned pivot holes formed within the pivot arms forreceiving a pivot point member for pivotally securing the levers, thepivot point is located at the fulcrum point; the levers each includingan elongated handle portion extending out from the fulcrum point and ananchor portion extending from the fulcrum point in a direction oppositethe handle portion, wherein the handle portion is longer than the anchorportion; and opposed stationary anchors located at a terminal end ofeach anchor portion, wherein the stationary anchors are formed within aterminal point in the pivot point arms; the anchors are operativelyaligned for receiving a spring, wherein the spring includes opposed hookmembers engaging a hole formed in the opposed station anchors, thespring is biased between the terminal ends of the anchor portions urgingthe anchor portions together.
 16. The apparatus for exercising the upperbody of claim 15, further including grips attached to the handleportions.
 17. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 15,wherein the levers are formed from a plastic.
 18. The apparatus forexercising the upper body of claim 15, wherein the first and secondpivot arms are integrally formed from the first and second levers.